𝙰𝙽𝙳𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙳𝙰 𝚆𝙰𝙻𝙺𝙴𝙳 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙾 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙸𝙶 𝙷𝙾𝚄𝚂𝙴, still in her pajamas, and took a piece of bacon off of Chiron's plate before sitting on the couch. "Hey, Chiron."

"Hello, Andromeda."

"You look like you want to tell me something," Andromeda said, then took a bite of her stolen bacon.

"You have been summoned to Olympus by Artemis," Chiron said. Andromeda nodded. "Okay."

She stood up.

"Do be careful, Andromeda," Chiron said. Andromeda smiled. "Never." With that, she stole a second piece of bacon and ran out of the house.

She ran into the Hermes cabin and since no one was there, she began to change.

She had just pulled on her leggings when Luke walked into the cabin.

"Woah!" He looked around to make sure no one else was looking as he closed the door.

"De, what the heck. Why didn't you lock the door? Or go to the bathroom or something?" Luke asked as he locked the door and secured the curtains.

"Luke, it's just a bra. No big deal."

"No big deal?" Luke walked over to Andromeda and held her hips. "De, you're mine and I don't plan on sharing," Luke said and kissed her gently. Andromeda smiled and pulled him closer to her.

After the two had pulled away, they rested their foreheads against one another.

"Artemis wants me on Olympus," Andromeda said. Luke smiled and Andromeda pulled away to put her Camp Half-Blood shirt on.

"Can I come with you?" Luke asked. Andromeda smirked. "I don't know, can you?"

Luke rolled his eyes. "May I come with you?"

Andromeda smiled and nodded. "Yeah." She slipped her shoes on before walking over to Luke and kissing him.

"Come on, let's go!" She grabbed Luke's hand and dragged him out of the cabin.

"Don't we need money?" Luke said.

"Oh yeah!" Andromeda went back into the cabin and came back out with a small backpack.

"Okay. Let's go now."

The two walked to the border where a cab was waiting. They got in the cab.

"Empire State, please," Andromeda said. The cabbie bedded and started driving.

When they arrived, Andromeda handed the driver a 20-dollar bill. "Keep the change."

She and Luke got out of the car and walked into the lobby.

"I need the key to the 600th floor," Andromeda said.

"No such thing," the clerk said. Andromeda rolled her eyes. "My name is Andromeda Dover. My grandfather is Poseidon and we actually have a good relationship. If you do t give me the key, I'll have him come down here and you'll be sorry. Gimme the freaking key."

The clerk shakily handed the Legacy of Olympus the key and she and Luke went into the elevator. When it had closed, Andromeda inserted the key and turned it. She pressed the button to the 600th floor when it appeared.

She and Luke shared a look when the music started playing before they broke out into a fit of laughter.

"They need to get better music," Andromeda said. Luke nodded. "They really do."

When the elevator stopped and the doors opened, the two walked out and walked through Olympus until they got to the throne room.

When they walked in, the room was full but, Andromeda walked up to Artemis's throne.

"Lady Artemis." Luke bowed respectfully. Artemis gave the male a stiff nod before her attention turned to Andromeda. "Have you thought about my offer?"

Andromeda nodded. "I-"

"You guys," Hermes walked into the room, "are gonna want to see this." In his arms, he held a box and Andromeda stared at the label until she had deciphered Percy's name. "Oh, gods. This is gonna be good."

She crossed her arms across her chest and leaned back into Luke, who placed his hands on her hips.

Artemis eyes his hands before watching the scene in front of them.

Hermes handed the box to Zeus and the god opened it. His eyes became stormy as he appeared angry. And the storm that was brewing outside the building agreed with that.

"Hey, he looks like you when you're mad," Luke whispered in Andromeda's ear when Zeus's face became red with rage.

"What is it, darling?" Hera asked. Zeus angrily grabbed the item and held up the severed head of Medusa.

Hera gasped and looked away, going deep into thought.

Aphrodite's face turned light green and she covered her face with her hands.

Hephaestus paid it no mind and continued to tinker.

Dionysus took a sip of Diet Coke and chuckled to himself.

Artemis let out a laugh while Ares broke the arm of his throne.

Poseidon looked proud for a moment before he looked away, embarrassed.

Hestia who was tending to the fire in the middle of the room had a look of shock on her face, before she continued to poke the coals with her stick.

Hermes stood, laughing at everyone so hard his side hurt.

Apollo smirked. "Well, hello there."

Artemis rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Apollo. It's a severed head. Not a living being."

"Perseus sent it?" Demeter asked. Zeus nodded. "Well, I think he needs more cereal and grains."

Andromeda laughed loudly while she watched Athena's face change colors.

"How dare he defy our power like that!" Athena yelled. She turned to look at Dionysus. "Who went on the quest with the boy?"

Mr. D shrugged and took another sip of his Diet Coke.

Athena glared at him before looking at Andromeda. "Annabeth went with him, didn't she?"

Andromeda nodded once.

Athena's face turned red. "And she went along with it?! How dare she! The- the- the impertinence!"

While Athena was ranting, Zeus tossed the head to Hera. Her face scrunched up in disgust and she let out a small squeak before she threw it across the room.

Andromeda looked at Artemis. "We're gonna go. I'm good. Thank you for the offer though."

Andromeda and Luke quickly walked out of the throne room and to the elevator. Right as the door closed they heard Zeus yell, "Perseus Jackson!"

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝚆𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙱𝙰𝙲𝙺 𝙾𝚄𝚃𝚂𝙸𝙳𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴 Empire State Building, Luke looked at Andromeda. "What offer?"

"She wants me to join her hunt."

Like nodded and the two flagged down a cab that would take them back to camp.

They rode in a cab back to camp and went to the Hermes Cabin where they laid on Andromeda's bed for a few hours.

"I'm bored," Andromeda wined, breaking the silence. Luke laughed softly. "And what exactly do you expect me to do about it?"

Andromeda looked at Luke, her head still on his chest. "Can we go climb a tree?"

Luke smiled at her and pecked her lips. "Alright."

Andromeda jumped up with childish glee, running to the door.

Luke laughed. "You're this excited over climbing a tree?"

Andromeda nodded, a pout adorning her features. "Yes, I am. But don't laugh at me."

Luke smiled as he stood, walking over to The Legacy. He kissed her multiple times around her face, making her laugh before grabbing his face in her hands. She brought his lips to hers, the blonde smiling against her lips.

Andromeda pulled back, Luke pouting. "You pulled away."

Andromeda laughed once more. "C'mon, I wanna climb a tree!" She opened the door, running out. Luke laughed and followed her as she ran to the forest.

When he had finally caught up to her, she was already starting to climb a tree.

"De, slow down," he said with a smile. She shook her head and continued climbing, smiling the entire time.

Just as Luke was about to follow her, she misplaced her foot, causing her to fall. She let out a soft scream, causing Luke to look up right as she crashed into him.

They both flew to the ground, Andromeda crying out softly.

She twisted so she was facing him. "You okay?"

Luke nodded, his gaze moving to her lips. Andromeda smirked slightly, leaning down.

Luke leaned his head up and crashed his lips against hers before flipping them over. ANdromeda tangled her fingers in his hair.

"Oh my gods! Get a room!" A ten-year-old Will Solace exclaimed, dramatically placing his hands over his eyes.

Andromeda quickly sat up.

"Chiron wanted me to get Luke. Said he had a sword fighting class."

"I'm busy," Luke wined.

Andromeda laughed. "Go. I have to get to class anyway."

Luke sighed and stood up. "Fine."

He kissed her quickly before leaving to teach the class.

Andromeda stood up and walked with Will to the volleyball court.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"𝙳𝙴?" Luke asked as he walked into the Hermes cabin hours later.

Andromeda snuffled. "Yeah?" Luke quickly made his way over to her bunk. "De, what's wrong?"

Andromeda rolled to her left side, hiding her face from him. "Nothing."

"De," Luke said softly, rubbing her back.

"What?"

"Tell me what's wrong," he said gently.

"Just cramps." She sniffled. "No big deal."

Luke sighed, sensing there was more to it, but he didn't push. He pulled Andromeda into his arms. Andromeda's breath evened out as she fell asleep.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

𝙿𝙴𝚁𝙲𝚈 𝚆𝙰𝙻𝙺𝙴𝙳 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙾 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙰𝚁𝙴𝙽𝙰 as Luke was training. The younger Demi-god watched in fascination as Luke — drenched in sweat — hacked off the dummies' limbs, heads and practically reduced them to a pile of straw and armor.

Luke looked over and stopped mid-swing. "Percy."

"Um, sorry," Percy's cheeks turned pink. "I just—"

"It's okay," Luke said as he lowered his sword. "Just doing some last-minute practice."

"Those dummies won't be bothering anybody anymore," Percy said.

Luke shrugged. "We build new ones every summer."

Percy looked at Luke's sword — which was made of two different metals — one edge bronze, the other steel.

Luke smirked at Percy. "Oh, this? New toy. This is Backbiter."

"Backbiter?"

Luke turned the blade so it glinted almost evilly in the sunlight. "One side is celestial bronze. The other is tempered steel. It works on mortals and immortals."

Percy paused for a moment. "It didn't know they could make weapons like that."

"They probably can't," Luke agreed. "It's one of a kind." He gave Percy a small smile, then slid Backbiter into its scabbard. "Listen I was going to come looking for you. What do you say we go down to the woods one last time, look for something to fight?"

Percy hesitated. "You think it's a good idea? I mean—"

"Aww, come on." Luke rummaged through his gym bag and pulled out a six-pack of Cokes. "Drinks are on me."

Percy stared at the cans for a moment. "Sure. Why not?"

They walked down the the woods and searched for a monster to fight, but decided it was too hot and gave up. They found a shady spot by the creek, sat on a big rock, drank their Cokes, and watched the sunlight filter through the trees.

Then the scene changed to first person. They ran through the woods, stopping when Luke and Percy were within sight.

Luke crumpled his Coke can and threw it into the river.

"The heck with laurel wreaths," Luke said. "I'm not going to end up like those trophies in the Big House attic."

"You make it sound like... like you're leaving," Percy said. Luke smiled. "Oh, I'm leaving, Percy. I brought you down here to say goodbye."

He snapped his fingers and a small fire burned a hole in the ground at Percy's feet. Out crawled a glistening black scorpion around the size of Percy's hand. Percy's hand immediately went for his sword in his pocket.

"I wouldn't," Luke cautioned. "Pit scorpions can jump up to fifteen feet. Its stinger can pierce right through your clothes. You'll be dead in 60 seconds.

"Luke, what—" Percy cut himself off and thought for a quick moment, looking like someone had punched him in the gut.

"You," he said, realization dawning on his face.

Luke stood calmly and brushed off his jeans. The scorpion paid no attention to Luke, It kept its soulless eyes on Percy, clamping its pincers as it crawled onto his shoe.

"I saw a lot out there in the world, Percy," Luke said. "Didn't you feel it? The darkness gathering, the monsters growing stronger? Didn't you realize how useless it all is? All the heroics, being pawns of the gods. They should've been overthrown thousands of years ago, but they've hung on, thanks to us half-bloods."

"Luke... you're talking about our parents," Percy said. Luke laughed. "That's supposed to make me love them? Their precious 'Western Civilization' is a curse, Percy. It's killing the world. The only way to stop it is to burn it to the ground. Start over with something new. Something more honest."

"You're as crazy as Ares," Percy spat.

Luke's eyes flared. "Ares is an incompetent fool. He never realized the true ruler he was serving. If I had time, Percy, I could explain. But, I'm afraid you won't live that long."

The scorpion crawled up Percy's pant leg.

PUBLISHED: may 31, 2025
EDITED: -